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Fort Myers is one of those rare places where the lifestyle and the housing market tell the same story. The “City of Palms” has evolved from a quiet winter escape into a thriving, year-round community where new neighborhoods, schools, and shopping districts rise alongside golf courses, marinas, and waterfront parks. High-rise condos line the Caloosahatchee River, while master-planned communities and custom homes continue to expand across the city and greater Lee County. For anyone thinking about building a new home here, understanding both the lifestyle and the construction landscape is essential. This guide walks you through why Fort Myers has become such a magnet for new home construction, what day-to-day life actually looks like, how the building process works, and how a local builder like Tundra Homes approaches hurricane-ready, thoughtfully designed homes tailored to Southwest Florida.
Over the last decade, Fort Myers has shifted from “hidden gem” to one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, attracting families, retirees, and relocators from across the U.S. and beyond. National and regional analyses have repeatedly highlighted Fort Myers and Lee County for robust new construction activity, with thousands of new homes under way to meet demand.
There are a few driving forces behind this popularity. First is simple lifestyle appeal. Fort Myers offers a classic Gulf Coast Florida experience: palm-lined streets, a laid-back pace, easy access to beaches, and an emphasis on outdoor living. Compared to many coastal markets, it also offers a wide range of housing options and relative value for those seeking either a primary residence or a seasonal home.
Second is growth and investment. The greater Fort Myers area has seen ongoing infrastructure improvements, from expanded roadways to a modernized regional airport. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), just southeast of Fort Myers, was rebuilt in 2005 to accommodate increased passenger demand as the region grew into a premier resort and relocation destination. This connectivity makes it easier for part-time residents to come and go and for full-time residents to stay connected with family and work elsewhere.
Third is the sheer momentum of development. Recent housing market studies indicate strong ongoing demand for new homes in the Cape Coral–Fort Myers metropolitan area, with thousands of units under construction to keep up with population growth. That growth has fueled new schools, medical facilities, shopping centers, and recreational amenities, reinforcing the area’s appeal with each new project.
In short, Fort Myers sits at the intersection of sun-drenched lifestyle, practical convenience, and long-term regional growth, making it a compelling place to invest in a newly built home.
If you are considering building here, it helps to picture what your days might actually look like. Fort Myers offers a blend of riverfront urban energy, suburban comfort, and coastal leisure that is hard to duplicate.
Downtown Fort Myers sits along the Caloosahatchee River, with walkable streets, restaurants, galleries, and events that give the historic River District real character. High-rise condos and riverfront parks take advantage of sweeping water views, and the city’s growth has only made the area more vibrant, with new dining, nightlife, and cultural experiences continuing to emerge.
Move a bit inland and the golf courses begin. The Fort Myers and Lee County area is home to a remarkable concentration of public and private golf courses, with roughly 90 courses in the immediate Fort Myers area and well over 100 across the broader region. Many communities here are golf-centric, with fairways and lakes doubling as scenic backdrops for everyday life. For serious players and casual weekend golfers alike, it is easy to find a club or course that fits your level and style.
Water, of course, is ever-present. Fort Myers is a gateway to the barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva and to destinations like Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key, and the broader Gulf of Mexico. Residents regularly boat, fish, kayak, and paddleboard on the Caloosahatchee River and coastal estuaries. In many neighborhoods, you can be on the water within minutes of leaving your driveway.
For families, the lifestyle revolves around parks, sports fields, and year-round outdoor activities. The subtropical climate delivers warm temperatures and abundant sunshine, enabling kids’ sports, walks, bike rides, and evenings on the lanai almost every month of the year. Many transplants from colder climates cite this consistent outdoor lifestyle as a primary reason they chose Fort Myers.
For retirees and second-home owners, Fort Myers offers active adult communities, walkable neighborhoods, cultural events, and easy airport access for visiting family. Health care access has expanded with the region’s growth, and many retirees appreciate the ability to enjoy a resort-like lifestyle while still being close to medical services and everyday conveniences.
When you drive around Fort Myers, it is not unusual to see new communities breaking ground, infrastructure projects under way, and “coming soon” signs for retail and dining. The visible activity reflects real numbers behind the scenes.
Regional news and planning discussions indicate that Fort Myers has seen its population rise significantly over the last decade, with projections suggesting continued growth through at least 2030. Housing studies by federal agencies and research groups likewise project demand for thousands of additional homes in the Cape Coral–Fort Myers housing market in the near term, with thousands already under construction.
In practical terms, that growth matters for new home buyers in a few ways.
First, it supports long-term investment. While no one can guarantee future market performance, a growing population with constrained land near coastal areas tends to support ongoing housing demand.
Second, it influences where you might choose to build. Areas on the leading edge of development can offer attractive value and brand-new infrastructure, while more established neighborhoods closer to the river or coast may offer a mature feel and well-developed amenities.
Third, it underscores the importance of choosing an experienced builder who understands how to navigate permitting, inspections, and utility coordination in a fast-growing market. As more people move in, processes can become more complex; a seasoned local team helps keep your project on track.
With both resale homes and new builds available, why do so many buyers gravitate toward new construction in Fort Myers? There are several compelling reasons that come up again and again.
Climate and building codes are a big part of the story. Modern Florida building codes require homes to be designed and constructed with hurricane forces in mind, and requirements have strengthened over time. New homes, especially when designed with coastal conditions in mind, typically incorporate updated structural systems, impact-rated windows and doors, modern roofing assemblies, and fastening methods that are specifically engineered for wind and water resistance compared with many older homes.
Energy efficiency is another advantage. New construction allows you to benefit from current insulation standards, more efficient HVAC systems, smart thermostats, and improved window technology. Over time, that can translate into lower utility costs and better comfort, which is especially important in Southwest Florida’s warm, humid climate.
Lifestyle fit also matters. Many relocators and move-up buyers want open floor plans, generous storage, spacious kitchens, and outdoor living areas that older homes may not easily accommodate. New homes in Fort Myers often emphasize great room layouts, large islands, walk-in pantries, and lanai areas designed as extensions of the main living space, sometimes with outdoor kitchens and pool areas integrated from the start.
Finally, there is peace of mind. With a new home, you know the history of every component from day one, and reputable builders stand behind their work with a clear warranty process. That can be especially reassuring if you are relocating from out of state and want to minimize the risk of immediate repairs and surprise renovations. Tundra Homes’ clients routinely highlight the company’s willingness to address issues promptly and communicate clearly during and after construction, which makes the transition into a new home smoother.
In Southwest Florida, one of the first questions many buyers ask is about hurricane readiness. While no home can be completely hurricane-proof, reputable builders design and construct homes that meet or exceed Florida’s current building codes, which are among the most rigorous in the country for wind resistance.
Tundra Homes emphasizes “weather resilient homes” as a core part of our offering. That translates into structural systems, window and door selections, roofing details, and site-specific engineering that are all focused on performing in a coastal environment. While the specific details vary by plan, lot, and client selections, the overarching goal is to build homes that are robust, secure, and thoughtfully detailed for Southwest Florida’s climate.
Beyond structure, hurricane readiness involves planning for drainage, grading, and outdoor living elements. Proper site preparation helps water shed away from the home, and thoughtful placement of lanais, screen enclosures, and exterior doors helps mitigate wind-driven rain. For many clients, integrating features like impact-rated glass, backup power options, and smart home systems that can be monitored remotely adds further peace of mind.
It is important to understand that building codes evolve over time as storms provide real-world data. Working with a builder who is actively building in Cape Coral, Pine Island, and Fort Myers today means your home is designed in line with current standards and local best practices, not yesterday’s assumptions.
Building a new home is both exciting and detailed. Tundra Homes has refined a clear, step-by-step process over more than three decades of building across Southwest Florida, including Fort Myers. While every project is unique, most custom or semi-custom builds follow a similar path.
It typically begins with an initial conversation about your vision, budget, and timing. At this stage, you might review existing floor plans that can be tailored to your needs or discuss designing a home from scratch. Tundra’s portfolio includes a variety of floor plans with different square footage ranges, bedroom counts, and layout styles, all of which can be adapted to specific lots in the Fort Myers area.
From there, budgeting and allowances are established so you have a clear understanding of what is included and which areas are flexible. For fully custom homes, Tundra’s process involves working with a designer to develop preliminary plans.
Once plans are finalized and a construction contract is in place, the permitting process begins. In Fort Myers and the surrounding area, this involves submitting architectural and engineering documents, energy calculations, site plans, and other required forms to the appropriate jurisdiction. A seasoned local builder handles these submittals, coordinates responses to any plan review comments, and tracks approvals to keep the project moving. Tundra Homes manages permitting on behalf of its clients as part of its turnkey approach.
After permits are issued, site work gets under way. Depending on the lot, this may involve clearing, fill placement, compaction, and forming for the foundation. Construction then progresses through familiar stages: slab and structure, rough mechanicals (plumbing, electrical, AC), insulation, drywall, interior and exterior finishes, and final details. Throughout this process, city and county inspectors visit at key milestones to verify compliance with building codes and approved plans.
One of the hallmarks of Tundra’s approach is transparent communication, which is especially important for out-of-area clients. The company uses cloud-based construction management tools that allow homeowners to view schedules, progress photos, change orders, and payment information from anywhere. Clients frequently praise this system for making it feel like they are “on site” even when they are still living hundreds or thousands of miles away.
As construction nears completion, you will walk the home with the builder to review details, test systems, and identify any final touchups. After closing and move-in, warranty support begins, with clear channels for addressing questions or issues that may arise as you get to know your new home.
Designing or choosing a floor plan in Fort Myers is not just about room count. It is about how your home will interact with light, views, and outdoor spaces in a sunny, coastal climate.
Many of Tundra Homes’ plans, such as the La Palma series and others, are built around open great rooms that flow seamlessly into dining areas, kitchens, and outdoor lanais. Large sliding glass doors and thoughtfully placed windows capture natural light and draw your eye toward the pool, canal, or landscaped yard beyond. High ceilings, often with tray or coffered accents, add a sense of volume without sacrificing comfort.
Kitchens in these homes tend to function as both working spaces and gathering areas, with generous islands, walk-in pantries, and connections to outdoor grills or summer kitchens. Bedrooms are often split for privacy, with owner’s suites separated from guest or children’s bedrooms. Flex spaces might serve as home offices, media rooms, or hobby spaces, reflecting the fact that many residents blend work, leisure, and family life under one roof.
Outdoor living areas are particularly important in Fort Myers. Covered lanais provide shade from midday sun while still letting you enjoy breezes and views. Many owners choose to integrate pools and spas with sun shelves, waterfalls, or integrated seating, creating a private resort feel at home. For boaters, homes on or near canals can be designed with dock access in mind, even if the dock is added later.
Tundra also incorporates aging-in-place thinking for clients who want their home to work for them long-term. This can include wider doorways, curbless showers, thoughtful circulation, and structural planning that can accommodate future features like grab bars if needed. For many retirees or multi-generational families, that foresight provides additional peace of mind.
One of the most common questions prospective homeowners ask is whether builders handle permitting and related paperwork. In the Fort Myers area, the answer from reputable custom builders is yes.
Tundra Homes manages the permitting process from start to finish, coordinating with local jurisdictions in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Pine Island, and surrounding communities. This includes assembling architectural and engineering documents, submitting permit applications, responding to plan review comments, and scheduling inspections throughout construction.
For you as the homeowner, that means you do not need to learn the ins and outs of local building departments, zoning codes, floodplain requirements, or inspection protocols. Instead, you can focus on design decisions, selections, and budgeting, while your builder manages compliance and logistics behind the scenes.
Inspections are conducted by city or county officials at defined milestones, such as foundation, structural framing, mechanical rough-ins, insulation, and final completion. Each inspection must be passed before work can progress to the next stage, which adds an additional layer of quality control beyond the builder’s own supervision.
Because Tundra has decades of experience in Southwest Florida, the team is familiar with local expectations and nuances in Fort Myers and neighboring jurisdictions. That familiarity helps reduce delays and surprises, keeping projects moving efficiently from concept to completion.
Fort Myers attracts a high percentage of buyers from outside Florida, including snowbirds, retirees, investors, and remote professionals. Many of them start their building journey from hundreds or thousands of miles away. Tundra Homes has structured its process to support exactly that scenario.
From the first conversation, the team is comfortable working via phone, email, and video to understand your goals, explain the building process, and begin discussing floor plans and lots. Once you are under contract, Tundra’s online project management system becomes your hub. There, you can review schedules, important documents, change orders, selections, and progress photos as the home comes together.
Clients routinely highlight this system in their reviews, noting that they felt informed and included even if they could only visit the site occasionally during construction. Many also comment on Tundra’s responsiveness, transparency about costs, and willingness to answer questions thoroughly, which is especially reassuring when you are building from afar.
When you are ready to visit in person, Tundra’s model home in Cape Coral offers a tangible sense of the company’s craftsmanship, finishes, and attention to detail. For many future Fort Myers homeowners, that first walkthrough is the moment when the dream of a new home in Southwest Florida becomes very real.
Fort Myers combines a desirable coastal lifestyle with strong regional growth and modern infrastructure. The city offers riverfront and Gulf access, abundant golf, a subtropical climate, and a growing downtown, making it attractive to families, retirees, and second-home buyers alike. At the same time, housing market studies point to ongoing demand for thousands of additional homes in the Cape Coral–Fort Myers area, with significant new construction already under way. That combination of lifestyle and momentum makes new construction particularly appealing.
New homes in Fort Myers are designed and built under Florida’s current building codes, which impose rigorous requirements for wind resistance and structural performance in coastal areas. Reputable builders, including Tundra Homes, emphasize “weather resilient” construction that may include engineered structural systems, impact-rated windows and doors, and roofing details suited to Southwest Florida’s climate. While no home can be completely hurricane-proof, building new gives you the benefit of updated codes, current engineering, and materials selected with local conditions in mind.
Yes. Tundra Homes manages the permitting process on behalf of its clients, coordinating with local jurisdictions in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Pine Island, and surrounding communities. This includes assembling necessary documents, submitting applications, tracking approvals, and scheduling inspections during construction. As a homeowner, you do not need to navigate local building departments yourself; your builder handles those steps as part of a turnkey approach.
Many of Tundra’s clients build while living elsewhere, whether in another part of Florida, another state, or even another country. The company uses cloud-based construction management tools to provide schedules, progress photos, documents, and change orders online, so you can monitor your project from anywhere. Combined with regular communication from the team, this approach allows you to stay informed and involved even if you can only visit in person a handful of times during the build.
Start by thinking about how you truly live: how often you entertain, whether you work from home, how many overnight guests you host, and how much time you expect to spend outdoors. Many Fort Myers buyers prefer open great room layouts, generous kitchens, split bedroom plans, and expansive lanais that integrate pools and outdoor kitchens. Tundra Homes offers a range of floor plans that can be tailored to your needs, or you can work with their team to design a custom home from the ground up, incorporating features like aging-in-place planning, boat-friendly sites, or flexible guest suites.
Building a new home in Fort Myers is about more than choosing a lot and a floor plan. It is about crafting a lifestyle that reflects why you chose Southwest Florida in the first place: warm weather, water access, golf and outdoor recreation, a relaxed pace, and a community that continues to grow and invest in its future.
With more than thirty years of experience building in Cape Coral, Pine Island, and Fort Myers, Tundra Homes brings deep local knowledge, hands-on craftsmanship, and a client-first mindset to every project. The team understands how to translate your ideas into a home that feels like it truly belongs here—and truly belongs to you.
If you are ready to explore what a building in Fort Myers could look like for your family, the next step is simple. Visit our website to view floor plans and the Fort Myers location page, tour the model home in Cape Coral when you are in the area, or reach out directly to start a conversation about your goals.
At Tundra Homes, they love what they do, they take pride in what they build, and they treat every client like family. When you are ready to make Fort Myers your home, we are ready to help you build it—one carefully crafted detail at a time.
